Furloughed District Heights residents frustrated over letter from apartment complex

DISTRICT HEIGHTS, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - As the government shutdown drags into a second month, it’s getting harder for some furloughed federal employees to make rent.

Tenants of the Avanti Apartment complex, many of whom are furloughed federal workers, reached out to FOX 5 Tuesday after receiving what they believed to be a threatening letter from their landlord.

The letter, which is posted on doors throughout the complex, reads in part, “If you have a past due balance over $1,500, it will be to your best interest to see Mr. Shelton today, 1/22/19 before 4:00 pm to pay what you may have in the bank, or in your pockets, in order, to remain, a valued resident at the Avanti.”

The letter goes on to say residents with housing choice vouchers are not excluded from having to pay up.

Some residents who declined to be identified for fear of retribution expressed outrage at the letter:

"The letter, the way it was typed up, it was very unprofessional. Because he should know what's going on around the government. it is not the tenant's fault that we are not getting paid for going to work at this moment."

A second person said: "It's very heartless, it's threatening, it's harassing, it's all of the above at this point."

A message left for apartment complex management was not immediately returned.